Support
Commissioning
A clear commissioning route for South African SMT floors, aimed at electronics teams who already know the board and process.
What Commissioning looks like on an SMT week
The Commissioning page sets out the checks and steps for bringing an SMT machine or line into working condition on site. It is written for electronics teams that already know the board, the process and what the line must achieve.
Commissioning starts with the exact machine, board mix, and utility conditions on site. Air supply stability, mains quality, earthing, extractor connection, and room temperature all affect first power-up and accuracy checks. For South African electronics sites, it also helps to note whether the line is inland or coastal, and whether backup power changes the start sequence.
Record the machine state before adjustments begin, including feeder positions, nozzle rack contents, and any alarms on screen. A few dated photos of conveyors, printer rails, and reflow interfaces make handover clearer when settings need to be restored later. That record is useful when a line restarts after transport, storage, or a power event.
On-site machine release points
The commissioning pack should end with operating settings, verification records, and a short list of unresolved snags if any remain. Include machine zero checks, conveyor width settings, board stop confirmation, and test results from the first accepted assemblies. One controlled start-up record is more useful than a stack of general notes.
Link Commissioning with the matching process documents before changing production scope, especially oven profile records and placement data for the current board. Before shipment of any trial build, confirm packed boards, spare nozzles, feeders, and operator notes against the handover list. SMT line enquiries should name the board type, the placement volume and the machines already on the line.
- Utility checks logged before machine enable
- First accepted board tied to settings
- Snag list noted for handover
Site conditions that affect start-up
Commissioning on a South African electronics site often has to account for older power infrastructure, mixed compressed-air quality, and access constraints during delivery or rigging. Not every installation is a clean new build with ideal extraction and level surfaces. If the machine is joining an existing line, note the upstream and downstream equipment before alignment begins.
Coastal humidity can affect feeders, stored tooling, and exposed metal parts if packing has been opened too early. Inland dust builds up on sensors, conveyor edges, and cabinet filters, so cleaning checks matter before calibration and trial boards. Where power interruptions are common, capture machine backups and parameter files before deeper adjustments are made.
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Information needed before attendance
Send the Commissioning request with site photos, machine model details, available services, and the fault or install status as it stands. Include whether this is a new line, a relocation, or recommissioning after downtime.
File the commissioning record on the same day as the visit while alarm history, offsets, and acceptance checks are still fresh. It also helps to store the sheet with board data, training notes, and any customer sign-off required for the line.